Ways to increase road train’s controllability and transverse stability

Abstract

The problem of controllability and transverse stability is quite urgent for the road trains in operation. There are two ways to improve these operational properties: the choice of rational design parameters of the train units and the use of special devices to improve controllability and transverse stability. As a criterion for assessing the controllability and transverse stability of a multi-unit road train, it is proposed to use a dynamic magnification factor. When calculating the dynamic gain factors, a linear mathematical model of a three-link road train was used, consisting of a three-axle tractor unit, a three-axle semi-trailer and a five-axle trailer with a two-axle dolly. The simulation model allowed to optimize a number of design parameters of this road train’s units. As a result of the optimization, it was found that the values of the dynamic magnification factor decrease with movement of the fifth wheel and towing hook forward (up to 20%), as well as increasing the length of the drawbar relative to the nominal position (up to 3%). These recommendations allow choosing rational characteristics of road trains and improving their design already at the design stage.